Qatar intelligence case verdict date set

Manama, Apr. 24 (BNA): The High Criminal Court today decided to retain for issuance of a verdict on June 21 the case of Ali Salman Ali Ahmed, Hassan Ali Jumaa Sultan and Ali Mehdi Ali Al Aswad accused of established intelligence links with Qatar, Advocate General Osama Al Oufi said. The Public Prosecution referred them to the court for trial on charges of intelligence with a foreign country to carry out hostile acts against Bahrain, undermine its political and economic status as well as its national interest to overthrow the political system. The suspects were also charged with the passing defence secrets to a foreign country, accepting money from a foreign country in consideration for providing it with military secrets and information about the internal situation of the country, spreading tendentious rumours and fallacies abroad to weaken the financial confidence in the Kingdom and undermine its prestige. Today, the court heard the case in an open session according to the law. The first defendant attended the trial accompanied by his lawyers. The second and third defendants did not attend.  The prosecution presented its reply, commented on the defence of the first defendant and refuted his argument. The prosecution presented additional evidences concluded recordings presented by his attorney during previous sessions which prove in addition to existing evidences, the validity of charges levelled against the defendants. Today, the court heard the case in an open session according to the law. The first defendant attended the trial accompanied by his lawyers who presented their pleadings on behalf of him. The court decided to retain the case for verdict issuance on June 21.